https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137643 2026-05-28T12:14:15Z 2026-05-28T12:14:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137874 2025-08-01T07:47:33Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The changing face of medicine Abstract: Many years ago, we had written an article, published in the MMJ, that highlighted the advances that had occurred in Paediatrics during the preceding ten years or so. Now that we are in the twilight of our careers and on the cusp of retirement, we can re-visit this topic with a retro-telephoto lens in combination with a generous dollop of nostalgia.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Abela, Jurgen https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137873 2025-08-01T07:46:46Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Maltese doctors and their views on end of life issues Authors: Abela, Jurgen Abstract: BACKGROUND: End-of-life (EoL) decisions are challenging for doctors. They involve legal and ethical dilemmas, coupled with personal values. In 2016, a local study was carried out on the views of doctors on some EoL decisions. This study is a follow-up study, with a greater focus on advance care planning and related issues, which were not sufficiently addressed in the first study.; METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used. An online questionnaire was distributed electronically to doctors and collected: demographic details of participants; the philosophy of life of the individual; training needs in palliative care; personal views and experiences on particular EoL issues. The necessary ethics approval and organizational approvals were obtained.; RESULTS: 195 doctors replied giving a response rate of 15.1%. Hence, caution needs to be applied in interpreting the data, despite a positive non-responder analysis. 142 doctors [72.8% (95%CI 66-78.9)] felt the need of further training in EoL care. For withdrawal/withholding of treatment, 129 doctors (66.1% (95%CI 59-72.8)) did not feel safeguarded. In the case of the doctrine of double effect for treatment intensification, 129 doctors [66.1% (95%CI 59-72.8)] did not feel safeguarded, whilst for advance care planning 122 doctors [62.5% (95%CI 55.4-69.4)] did not feel safeguarded. Issuing a DNR order was the least concerning since 103 doctors [52.8% (95%CI 45.1-59.5)] did not feel safeguarded in this regard.; CONCLUSION: Despite agreeing with various EoL practices, most doctors felt they were not medico-legally safeguarded and welcomed further training in EoL care.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Grech, Marco Vella, Antoine Sammut, Josianna Piscopo, Naomi Falzon, Jessica Muscat, Gabriella Grech, Stefania https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137872 2025-08-01T07:46:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The development of pressure ulcers in patients referred to Mater Dei Hospital from St. Vincent de Paul long term care residence Authors: Grech, Marco; Vella, Antoine; Sammut, Josianna; Piscopo, Naomi; Falzon, Jessica; Muscat, Gabriella; Grech, Stefania Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are potentially preventable. They are caused by unrelieved pressure causing damage to underlying tissue via pressure, friction or shearing movements. Pressure ulcers are a cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. Elderly patients transferred to acute hospitals are at an increased risk for pressure ulcer development.; METHODS: A retrospective observational study design was adopted. Data was collected from iSOFT and the patients’ medical file. The population studied were patients who returned to SVP from MDH between the 1st November 2022 and the 14th February 2023. Data was analysed using SPSS 27.0.; RESULTS: Over 106 days of the study period, 56 patients were referred for acute care. Of these, 19.64% (n=11) developed new pressure ulcers. The mean length of stay was 9.892 days. The incidence of pressure ulcers varied between different departments (Medicine – 18.5%, Surgery – 8.3%, Orthopaedics – 66.7%, Urology 25%, Vascular, Neurology, Ophthalmology and Gynae -0%). Patients admitted under Orthogeriatrics for a fracture femur had an 80.0% incidence of developing new pressure ulcers. The sacral area was the most common site. Most pressure ulcers were of Grade 1 (n=7). There was a weak but statistically significant correlation between duration of stay and the development of ulcers (rs= .36, n = 56, p = .006). Documentation of pressure ulcers was absent from the medical notes and inconsistent in the nursing notes.; CONCLUSION: Prevention is cost effective, results in shorter hospital stays and improves the patients’ morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Greater efforts at preventing pressure ulcers in this specific population are warranted.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Agius, Edith Agius, Andee Zerafa, Claire Felice, Ethel Calleja, Neville https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137871 2025-08-01T07:41:30Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Intimate partner violence and perinatal mental health disorders Authors: Agius, Edith; Agius, Andee; Zerafa, Claire; Felice, Ethel; Calleja, Neville Abstract: PURPOSE OF STUDY: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intimate partner abuse amongst pregnant women attending the Perinatal Mental Health Clinic in Malta and were diagnosed with an antenatal or postnatal depression and/or anxiety disorder. Moreover, the socio-demographic variables associated with intimate partner abuse were also investigated.; METHODOLOGY: In this study, a survey research design using self-reported questionnaires was used after getting the necessary approvals. The questionnaire used, was an adapted version of the World Health Organisation (WHO) “Violence Against Women Structured Interview”, which was modified and translated into Maltese by Debono in 2015, using the WHO translation protocol.; RESULTS: In total, 100 mothers were eligible to participate. A total of 40 out of the 85 participating women (47.05%) reported one or more acts of psychological, verbal, physical or sexual abuse by their intimate partner during pregnancy. Out of the 40 abused women, 13 women (22.50%) reported one type of abuse, while 33 women (77.50%) reported more than one type of abuse. Verbal abuse (42.00%) and psychological abuse (39.00%) were the most common types of reported abuse during pregnancy, followed by physical (13.00%) and sexual abuse (12.00%). Using cross tabulations, the Pearson’s Chi-square test examined the association between intimate partner abuse and several socio-demographic variables.; CONCLUSION: Intimate partner abuse during pregnancy is a worldwide problem. This study confirms that mothers suffering from an antenatal or postpartum depression and/or anxiety disorder are at a higher risk of experiencing intimate partner abuse during pregnancy.; SIGNIFICANCE: Little is known about the prevalence of partner violence in pregnant women suffering from a mental health disorder. This study will aim to find out the prevalence of partner violence in such population. Moreover the socio demographic variable will give us more knowledge about risk factors related for experiencing partner abuse during pregnancy.

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